Above and Beyond: Firefighters embrace Wag'n 02 Fur Life program

by jmaloni

Taken from Dec. 6 Island Dispatch

Thu, Dec 12th 2013 03:15 pm

by Ray Pauley

Public Information Officer

Grand Island Fire Co.

Grand Island Fire Chief Kevin Koch reports
that a group of concerned citizens recently donated several lifesaving rescue
breathing units for family pets that have been overcome by smoke or noxious
fumes during a fire emergency. These units will be placed on rescue and chiefs'
vehicles along with other EMS equipment that is readily available to on-scene responders.
Members of the Mayer, Kozlowski, and Maddi families took money out of their own
pockets to purchase this specialized equipment for the Grand Island Fire Co. so
that furry family members would have that extra chance for survival in any
fire-related threat. Their exceptional personal motivation was inspired by the
Wag'n 02 Fur Life LLC, an educational and public safety organization dedicated
to providing pet oxygen masks to first-responders across North America to help
them save animal lives following structural fires.

• • •

Grand Island Fire Co. Chief Kevin Koch
reports that the GIFC has been awarded a 2013 "Hands in the Community"
contribution through the Mastantuono Allstate Agency. The $1,000 grant will be
used to purchase a new Drager multigas meter, to replace an 8-year-old unit,
which measures carbon monoxide, oxygen and hydrogen sulfide levels in the
atmosphere.

Koch noted that the GIFC has responded to
22 CO calls during September, October and November of 2013, although this
silent killer has caused no serious incapacities or fatalities during that
period.

Koch commands the Mastantuono Agency for
its longstanding commitment to the GIFC and its community protection goals.